Apparatus for processing welding wire



Aug. 30, 1966 T. D. NAST ETAL APPARATUS FOR PROCESSING WELDING WIRE 2Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed Sept. 27, 1963 INVE NTORS Thomas 0. N05!and Richard 6. Wao/dridge E wrawwmuoml ATTORN EYS Aug. 30, 1966 T. D.NAST ETAL 3,269,248

APPARATUS FOR PROCESSING WELDING WIRE Original Filed Sept. 27, 1963 2Sheets-Sheet 2 DETECTOR 92 I BRIDGE I ENE SIGNAL.

DRIVE REELI Thomas 0. Nas/ and Rlbhard g fi gg ldndge BY 5mm A'ETORNEYSUnited States Patent 3,269,248 AEPARA'IUS FOR PROCESSING WELDING WIREThomas D. Nast, White Plains, N.Y., and Richard G. W ooldridge,Glastonbury, Conn, assignors to All-fitate Welding Alloys (30., inc,White Plains, N.Y., a corporation of New York Original application Sept.27, 1963, Ser. No. 312,221, now Patent No. 3,210,838, dated Oct. 12,1965. Divided and this application Jan. 21, 1965, Ser. No. 435,770

4 Claims. (Cl. 83371) This application is a divisional application ofco-pending application Serial No. 312,221, filed September 27, 1963, nowPatent No. 3,210,838 and entitled Method and Apparatus for ProcessingWelding Wire.

This invention relates to the processing of wire products, and isparticularly concerned with apparatus for sensing and removing defectsfrom wiree.g., wire which is to be used in welding operations.

In making certain types of welding wire, as for example aluminum weldingwire, it is conventional to extrude the aluminum in wire form, and tothereafter draw the aluminum so that the same obtains proper strengthproperties. Extrusion is but one method by which aluminum wire can bemade, but still an extruded wire can serve as a basis for explainingdefects which are commonly encountered.

In any metal extruding operation, the base material commonly isinitially handled in ingot form. The ingots contain not only the majorconstituents, but also alloy constituents which render the ultimateextruded unit suitable for use in the particular application. In thecase of aluminum, where ingots are used, it is common to find impuritieseven within closely controlled tolerances which can be met undercommercial limitations. Thus, iron particles, silicone particles, earthparticles (dirt), grease, carbon particles, and the like are oftencontained in the ingot. Moreover, once the ingot has been heated, andthe wire is extruded therefrom, it is common to experience somesegregation of alloying elements, some discontinuity of internalstructure, some so-called cold lapping and some surface scratches.

The impurities and defects in the ingot appear to be comparatively minorbecause of the ingot size, but the wire which is extruded from the ingothas a small diameter or cross section, and accordingly, any impurity canbe of major importance in the extruded wire, although only of minorsignificance in the original ingot. Moreover, the extruded wire, asindicated, is normally drawn and/or worked to impart the desiredstrength properties thereto, and thus a surface scratch in theoriginally formed extruded wire may be comparatively small, whereasafter the drawing operation and the resulting further reduction ofdiameter or cross section, such scratch may be spread over a substantialarea on the drawn product having a reduced diameter. The sameconsiderations apply to segregation of the alloying elements, coldlapping and discontinuities in internal structures. In essence, a defectin the ingot often manifests itself as a major defect in the extrudedaluminum wire, and the defect in the wire as initially extruded, oftenmanifests itself as a substantially larger defect in the drawn wireforming the final product.

It is important that defects of the above described type be eliminatedbecause as long as such defects remain, the ultimate weld will not be ofuniform strength, nor free of porosity. (In wire otherwise formed, otherdefects of equal importance may be encountered.)

Bearing the foregoing factors in mind, it is a primary specific objectof the present invention to provide an apparatus for sensing defects inwire so as to eliminate 1 3,269,243 C Patented August 30, 1966 defectivesections from the wire, and permit the processing only of wire lengthswhich are substantially perfect. In this regard, it is a furtherspecific object hereof to sense not only the internal defects, but alsothe external defects, and to do so in advance of major wire formingoperations so that the wire which is subjected to such formingoperations is essentially free of defects from the start.

Aside from the foregoing more basic general object of the invention,there are certain additional objects hereof, namely, (a) the provisionof an apparatus for sensing defects in a welding wire, which apparatusoperates by sensing inductance and/ or magnetic field variations whichresults from defects in wire passing through such inductance and suchfield; (b) to provide such an apparatus wherein an electrical sensingsignal developed as a result of the sensing operation controls operationof an automatic cutting knife which severs the wire instantaneously uponsensing of a defect therein; (c) the provision of such an apparatuswherein the sensing mechanism is disposed in advance of the cuttingmechanism so that the cutting mechanism is operative to sever the wirebefore the defect sensed by the sensing mechanism reaches the cuttingmechanism; ((1) the provision of such an apparatus which readily permitsthe separation from a length of wire of a given portion thereof, and thewelding of the cut ends of the remaining wire together so that the wirecan be maintained as a single length for further operations; (e) theprovision of such an apparatus wherein the cutting mechanism isoperative under fluid pressure, and preferably air pressure, easilycontrollable through a solenoid operated valve, or may be operated by anelectrical solenoid having suflicient force, to achieve instantaneoussevering of the wire in response to a detected defect; and (f) theprovision of such a sensing and cutting mechanism which can be easilyconstructed at a minimum cost to operate for extended periods of timewithout requiring repair.

The invention has been found to have particular utility when used in theformation of aluminum welding wire, but it is to be understood that thesame is applicable to titanium welding wire, magnesium welding wire, andother welding wires where the absence of internal defects are of primaryimportance to uniformity and strength in the ultimate weld which is madewith the wire being processed.

In accordance with the invention, initially formed and/ or initiallydrawn Wire is subjected to an internal defect sensing operation, andportions of the wire having defects therein are severed from theremaining wire. The remaining wire parts are joined together, as bywelding, so that they remain as a continuous length. Such continuouslength is then preferably processed through further drawing operations,preferably in opposite directions, and/or through other strength givingoperations. Thereafter, the wire can be scrubbed, washed and wiped so asto clean the surface thereof.

These are but very basic features of the invention, and the inventionitself, will be better understood by reference to the following detaileddescription.

Such description makes reference to the accompanying drawings whichpresent preferred and illustrative embodiments of the invention.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a schematic view showing a series of processing stationsutilized forhandling welding wire in accordance with the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a schematic View of the circuit arrangement and cooperatingmeans used at the sensing and cutting station of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a plan view of the structural assembly utilized in sensing adefect in the wire being handled and in severing the wire once thedefect is sensed;

FIGURE 4 is a side view of the arrangement shown in FIGURE 3; and

FIGURE 5 is a fragmental detailed View of the sensing and cuttingelements utilized in the arrangement of FIG- URES 3 and 4.

In FIGURE 1, a roll of raw or rough wire stock is shown as beingdisposed at the first of the processing stations. This stock 10, forexample, can be extruded aluminum wire and for purposes of thisdescription, the same is considered as such. However, as indicatedabove, the invention is applicable to wire otherwise formed, and toother wires than aluminum wire. Still, for convenience, it will beassumed that the wire 10 is rough extruded aluminum wire such as the endproduct of a conventional aluminum wire extruding machine.

The wire 10, as formed, has little strength and the same must be workedin order to impart the desired strength properties thereto. For thispurpose, as also indicated above, it is conventional to pass the wirethrough a series of drawing stations wherein the wire is drawn,preferably, first in one direction and then in an opposite direction soas to achieve uniform strength and desired grain orientation.

In the arrangement of FIGURE 1, the rough wire is initially passed to afirst drawing station 12 where a conventional drawing head 13 isdisposed. Naturally, a drawing lubricant would be placed on the wireadjacent the drawing head 13 so that the drawing can be carried outeffectively. In FIGURE 1, the lubricant depositing means, and thesupport for the drawing head, have been eliminated for purposes ofsimplicity, and because the operation will readily be understood bythose familiar with the art.

After the wire which is being processed has passed the first drawingstation 12 where some strength is imparted thereto, and where thediameter is somewhat reduced, then defects in the wire 10 are sensed inaccordance with the invention.

Thus, as shown in FIGURE 1, a sensing station 14 is provided with asensing means 16, which sensing means determines the existence of anydefect in the Wire. The output of the sensing means, as shown, is fed toa detector or detecting means 18 which is operatively linked with acutter 20 disposed in the path of the wire 10 and located at the cuttingstation 22.

As explained more fully below, the sensor 16 serves to detectimperfections in the wire and in response thereto, the cutter 20 isoperated to sever the wire so that a portion of its length may beremoved from the entire length of the wire, with the remaining partswelded together to establish a continuous length ready for furtherprocessing.

Because of the need for uniformity in cross-sectional area of the wireand due to the necessity of defect-free wire, the welding operation is aconventioal fusing process thereby doing away with an added material orweld to the wire.

Once the defects have been removed, the wire which leaves the cutter 22is further processed, and if aluminum wire is being used, the same, forexample, is subjected to further drawing operations as indicated at thestation 24. These further drawing operations may be carried out on amultiple pass drawing machine, or through the use of separate drawingheads. In any event, as indicated, the drawing is preferably performedfirst in one direction and then in an opposite direction, so that theultimate wire has uniform strength and grain orientation.

Although further drawing operations have been shown, it is to beunderstood that in certain instances, the wire may be further processedwithout being subjected to additional drawing operations, or withoutbeing worked. Still, the wire which passes from the cutting station 22is free of the defects there sensed and removed. Such wire, as eitherfurther processed or as it leaves the cutting station 22, can be woundon spools for cleansing treatment. Alternatively, the process can becarried out continuously, as indicated in FIGURE 1.

As best shown in FIGURE 5, the wire 10 which leaves the drawing head 13has a reduced diameter, and is passed through the sensor 16 at thestation 14, which sensor, comprises a coil of electrically conductivewire 66.

Coil 66 has an axial opening 62 therein, or more particularly the spool64l on which the wire strand is wound has a central opening 62 therein.Thus, the wire 10 which passes through the spool 64 efiectively servesas a core for the coil 66. Any defect, such as the defect 60 in the wire10 shown in FIGURE 5, renders the core of the coil nonuniform, and,accordingly, affects the magnetic field and inductance of the coil 66.More particularly, the inductance of the coil 66 varies with theexistence of a defect, such as the defect 60 in the wire 10.

This variation in the inductance of the coil 66, or in the magneticfield created thereby, is utilized in accordance with the invention toeffect the cutting operation. More specifically, as shown in FIGURE 5,the coil 66 is but one leg of an inductance-resistance bridge generallydesignated by the numeral 80. Such bridge includes as one leg the coil66, the coil 82 as another leg, and as further legs, the respectiveresistors 84 and 86. The signal source is coupled between a pair ofbranches of the bridge including, respectively, resistors 84 and 86 andinductances 82 and 66. The detector 92 is coupled across the bridge, sothat the arrangement generally corresponds to that of a Wheatstonebridge. The bridge is initially balanced by adjustment of the variableinductance 82 with non-defective wire disposed in the coil 16.Thereafter, if a defect is experienced in the wire 10, the balance ofthe bridge is no longer maintained and the detector 92 senses theimbalance of the bridge.

By referring to FIGURE 2, it will be seen that the basic arrangementessentially comprises the signal source 90, the bridge 80 and thedetector 92. In essence, the signal source feeds a signal to the bridge,and the bridge in turn develops an output signal which is fed to thedetector when a defect is encountered in the wire "by the coil 66.

The common power source 106, energized by the switch 107, supplies powerto the signal 90, bridge 80, and the drive reel 70, respectively. In theschematic showing of FIGURE 2, the detector 92 is provided with itsindividual power source 91, but could be easily supplied from the commonpower source 106 where desirable.

The mere sensing of a defect is not in itself suflicient because inhandling the wire, one is not only concerned with whether or not adefect is in existence, but is further concerned with eliminating thedefect so that the wire can be further processed. Thus, in accordancewith the invention, the detector 92 is utilized to operate a cuttingmechanism 22. More particularly, the detector 92 operates a relay havinga switching arm 102 which is moved in response to an output from thedetector 92. When the switching arm 102 is moved to the position shownin FIGURE 2, the same establishes a circuit through a valve control 108which is supplied with current from a power source 106. The coil 104 isthe operating coil of a solenoid operated valve 109 and when current ispassed through the coil 104, the valve 109 opens. In accordanceherewith, air is fed under pressure into the line 110 and when the valveopens, such air passes through the line section 112 and into a cylinder115. Disposed within the cylinder 115 is a piston 116 urged to theposition shown by a spring 117. Leading fromvthe piston 116 is a pistonrod 120 which has a cutter blade 122 fixed on the end thereof by asuitable coupling 124.

When the relay switch arm 102 moves upwardly from the dotted lineposition shown, it closes the circuit through the coil 104, therebyopening the valve 109 and permitting the air under pressure to pass intothe cylinder 114. As. a result, the piston 116 moves to the right, asshown,

thereby compressing the spring 117 and moving the knife 122 to the rightas shown. The knife is guided within a channel 126 in a cutting housing128 and passes through such housing and into the lateral opening 129therein. The wire passing through such housing is accordingly severed.

From the above, it will be understood that when a defect in the wire 10is sensed by the coil 66, the bridge 80 is unbalanced and, accordingly,the detector 92 produces an output. This output activates the solenoidoperated valve control 108 in the air supply lines 110, 112 to thecylinder 115, to open the valve 109. With opening of the valve, thepiston 116 is moved to the right, thereby moving the knife across thepath of the wire 10 and severing the wire. Thus, in response to sensinga defect in the wire, the cutter mechanism is operated to sever thewire.

Once the wire is severed, the operator immediately knows that a defecthas been encountered. Accordingly, he cuts a short length of the Wirefrom the continuous length, and he then welds together the adjacent endsof the remaining wire portions in the manner set forth above. Theoperation is then started until another defect is detected.

Preferably, the welding operation is carried out such that the weldedjoint must pass through the sensing mechanism. The welded joint in theWire at this point, is generally uniform with the remainder of the wire.Thus, sensing the welded joint would not affect the sensor so as toactuate the cutting mechanism. On the other hand, if the joint which ismade in welding the parts together is not sufficient, or generallyuniform, then the sensing mechanism and cutter mechanism again operate,whereby the wire is severed, and a new welded joint must be made.

In other words, by this procedure, not only are internal defects in thewire sensed, but once the wire is cut and a short portion severedtherefrom, whereupon the parts are again joined together, the junctureof the joined parts is examined by the sensor.

Bearing in mind the operations described above, attention can now bedirected to FIGURES 3 and 4 which present the basic over-all structuralarrangement incorporated preferably at the stations 14 and 22. InFIGURES 3 and 4, the sensing coil 66 is shown as being disposed in asupport frame 111. This frame is itself supported by a slide track 113,which as shown in FIGURE 4, has a dovetail slideway 114 therein. Thebottom of the support frame 111 carries a cooperating dove-tailprojection 119 which rides in the slideway 114. The frame 111 is thuslaterally slideable with respect to the axis of travel of the wire 10,so as to permit the proper adjustment of the support 111 and in turn,the proper disposition of the coil 66. To this end, the support 111carries a set screw or bolt 118 on one end portion thereof, which setscrew or bolt, when tightened downwardly, abuts the slideway 114 tomaintain the frame 111 in pre-set position.

T o the right of the support 111 or in advance thereof with respect tothe direction of travel of the wire 10 as shown by the arrows 131, aguide roller 136 is provided. This roller is supported in position by apivotally mounted arm 132 which rotates about a pivot shaft 136. Thepivot shaft 136 is supported in a bracket 138 and the spring 134cooperates between the base of the bracket and the pivotally supportedarm 132 to urge the roller 130 upwardly.

To the right or in advance of the support roller 130, a drum box 150 isincorporated. This box includes .a drawing head support member 152 whichhas a drawing head 154 supported therein. The wire 10 passes through thedrawing head 154 whereupon the diameter of the wire is reduced andthereafter passes over the roller 130 and then through the center of thecoil 66. The wire which is leaving the coil 66 passes under a guideroller arrangement 160 and then through the cutting housing 128. Theguide channel 126 is provided in the cutter housing 128 by a pair of barmembers 170 and 172 cooperating with the base of the housing to define areciprocating path receiving the lower edge of the cutter element 122.

The wire 10 which has passed the cutter station 22 can, if desired, andas shown in FIGURES 3 and 4, be wound upon a take-up spool 180 whichrotates about a vertical axis. The wire can then be transferred toanother location for subsequent working through drawing or likeoperation. Alternatively, the wire can be transported to anotherlocation for performing the Washing and surface cleaning operationsthereon. Still as another alternative,

the wire can be continuously fed to the cleaning operation, asindicate-d in FIGURE 1.

Although a bridge-type sensing means has been shown in the drawings anddescribed above, it should be appreciated that other types of sensingmeans can be utilized in accordance herewith. The bridge-type sensingmeans is preferred, however, because the same can be easily operated bya single source having a frequency in the audio range and preferably afrequency of between 3 kc. and 5 kc.

The particular form of relay, detecting means, signal source, and otherelectrical components which are utilized in the arrangements shown canbe varied. However, generally conventional components are available foruse in the combined assembly and arrangement and, therefore, it does notappear necessary to further consider the details of each componentdiscussed.

After reading the foregoing description of the preferred andillustrative embodiments of the invention, it should be apparent thatthe objects set forth at the outset of the present specification havebeen successfully achieved. Accordingly,

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for sensing and removing defects from wire comp-rising incombination:

(a) a normally balanced bridge circuit having in one arm thereof aninductance means through which a Wire is adapted to pass to causevariations in the impedance thereof in response to defects in the wire,said inductance means comprising a coil of electrically conductive wire,said bridge circuit producing an electrical output in response tovariations in said impedance;

(b) frame means;

(c) a coil support mounted on said frame means for reciprocal movementalong a first axis, said coil support carrying said coil thereon wherebysaid coil can be adjusted on said :axis to receive the wiretherethrough;

(d) first and second roller means disposed on said frame on oppositesides of said coil support, said first and second roller means engagingrespectively opposite portions of the wire, at least one of said rollermeans including a movably mounted roller and spring means for urgingsaid roller to a position in engagement with the wire;

(e) cutter means comprising a knife, means mounting said knife forreciprocal movement across the path of movement of the wire and along anaxis parallel to said first axis, and means for normally urging saidknife to a retracted position outside said path of movement; and,

(f) means rfior operating said cutter means in response to saidelectrical output comprising a fluid operated piston and cylinder meansfor reciprocating said knife, a fluid supply, and an electricallyactivatable valve means responsive to said electrical output, saidelectrically activated valve :being disposed between said fluid supplyand said piston and cylinder means whereby said fluid supply causes saidpiston and cylinder means to move said reciprocating knife across saidpath of said wire when said valve means is activated.

2. The apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein said frame means and saidcoil support have a dovetail slideway and cooperating dovetail guidemounting therebetween.

3. Apparatus for sensing and removing defects from Wire comprising incombination:

( a) a normally balanced bridge circuit having first and second pairs ofterminals and having in one arm thereof an inductance means throughwhich a wire is adapted to pass to cause variations in the impedencethereof in response to defects in the wire, said inductance meanscomprising a coil of electrically conductive Wire;

(b) an audio frequency electrical power source connected across saidfirst pair of terminals of said bridge;

(c) sensing means connected across said second pair of terminals of saidbridge for sensing imbalance of said bridge circuit and producing anelectrical output corresponding to said imbalance and in turn tovariations in said impedance resulting from defects in the wire;

(d) cutter means comprising a knife, means mounting said knife forreciprocal movement across the path of movement of the wire and along anaxis parallel to said first axis, and means for normally urging saidknife to a retracted position outside said path of movement; and,

(e) means for operating said cutter means in response to said electricaloutput comprising a fluid operated piston and cylinder means forreciprocating said knife, a fluid supply, and an electricallyactivatable valve means powered by said audio frequency electrical powersource and responsive to said electrical output, said electricallyactivated valve being disposed between said fluid supply and said pistonand cylinder means whereby said fluid supply causes said piston andcylinder means to move said reciprocating knife across said path of saidwire when said valve means is activated.

4. Apparatus for sensing and removing defects from wire comprising incombination:

(a) a normally balanced bridge circuit having first and second pairs ofterminals and having in one arm thereof an inductance means throughwhich a wire is adapted to pass to cause variations in the impedencethereof in response to defects in the wire, said inductance meanscomprising a coil of electrically conductive wire;

(b) an audio frequency electrical power source connected across saidfirst pair of terminals of said bridge;

(c) sensing means connected across said second pair of terminals of saidbridge for sensing imbalance of said bridge circuit and producing anelectrical output corresponding to said imbalance and in turn tovariations in said impedance resulting from defects in the wire;

(d) fname means;

(e) a coil support mounted on said frame means for reciprocal movementalong a first axis, said coil support carrying said coil thereon;

(f) first and second guide means disposed on said frame on oppositesides of said coil support, said first and second guide means engagingrespectively opposite portions of the wire;

(g) cutter means comprising a knife, means mounting said knife forreciprocal movement across the path of movement of the wire and along anaxis parallel to said first axis, and means for normally urging saidknife to a retracted position outside said path 0 movement; and,

(h) means for operating said cutter means in response to said electricaloutput comprising a fluid operated piston and cylinder means forreciprocating said knife, a fluid supply, and an electricallyactivatable valve means powered by said audio frequency electrical powersource and responsive to said electrical output, said electricallyactivated valve being disposed between said fluid supply and said pistonand cylinder means whereby said fluid supply causes said piston andcylinder means to move said reciprocating knife across said path of saidwire when said valve means is activated.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS WILLIAM W. DYE'R,JR., Primary Examiner.

F. T. YOST, Assistant Examiner.

1. APPARATUS FOR SENSING AND REMOVING DEFECTS FROM WIRE COMPRISING INCOMBINATION: (A) A NORMALLY BALANCED BRIDGE CIRCUIT HAVING IN ONE ARMTHEREOF AN INDUCTANCE MEANS THROUGH WHICH A WIRE IS ADPATED TO PASS TOCAUSE VARIATIONS IN THE IMPEDANCE THEREOF IN RESPONSE TO DEFECTS IN THEWIRE, SAID INDUCTANCE MEANS COMPRISING A COIL OF ELECTRICALLY CONDUCTIVEWIRE, SAID BRIDGE CIRCUIT PRODUCING AN ELECTRICAL OUTPUT IN RESPONSE TOVARIATIONS IN SAID IMPEDANCE; (B) FRAME MEANS; (C) A COIL SUPPORTMOUNTED ON SAID FRAME MEANS FOR RECIPROCAL MOVEMENT ALONG A FIRST AXIS,SAID COIL SUPPORT CARRYING SAID COIL THEREON WHEREBY SAID COIL CAN BEADJUSTED ON SAID AXIS TO RECEIVE THE WIRE THERETHROUGH; (D) FIRST ANDSECOND ROLLER MEANS DISPOSED ON SAID FRAME ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF SAIDCOIL SUPPORT, SAID FIRST AND SECOND ROLLER MEANS ENGAGING RESPECTIVELYOPPOSITE PORTIONS OF THE WIRE, AT LEAST ONE OF SAID ROLLER MEANSINCLUDING A MOVABLY MOUNTED ROLLER AND SPRING MEANS FOR URGING SAIDROLLER TO A POSITION IN ENGAGEMENT WITH THE WIRE; (E) CUTTER MEANSCOMPRISING A KNIFE, MEANS MOUNTING SAID KNIFE FOR RECIPROCAL MOVEMENTACROSS THE PATH OF MOVEMENT OF THE WIRE AND ALONG AN AXIS PARALLEL TOSAID FIRST AXIS, AND MEANS FOR NORMALLY URGING SAID KNIFE TO A RETRACTEDPOSITION OUTSIDE SAID PATH OF MOVEMENT; AND (F) MEANS FOR OPERATING SAIDCUTTER MEANS IN RESPONSE TO SAID ELECTRICAL OUTPUT COMPRISING A FLUIDOPERATED PISTON AND CYLINDER MEANS FOR RECIPROCATING SAID KNIFE, A FLUIDSUPPLY, AND AN ELECTRICALLY ACTIVATABLE VALVE MEANS RESPONSIVE TO SAIDELECTRICAL OUTPUT, SAID ELECTRICALLY ACTIVATED VALVE BEING DISPOSEDBETWEEN SAID FLUID SUPPLY AND SAID PISTON AND CYLINDER MEANS WHEREBYSAID FLUID SUPPLY CAUSES SAID PISTON AND CYLINDER MEANS TO MOVE SAIDRECIPROCATING KNIFE ACROSS SAID PATH OF SAID WIRE WHEN SAID VALVE MEANSIS ACTIVATED.